Ecuador Travel

Dusk at cuyabeno lake

Dusk at cuyabeno lake

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Ecuador is a country full of natural beauty and amazing places to go and sites to see. Here is a list of 20 places not to miss when visiting Ecuador divided by region.

Galapagos Islands

1. A Galapagos Cruise – cruises are available in 4, 5, and 8 day durations and any one is certainly worth the time and money. Cruises can be booked on-line, in Quito, or even once in the Galapagos. The only way to arrive to the Galapagos is by plane from Guayaquil.
2. The Charles Darwin Research Station – located on the Island of Santa Cruz in the city of Puerto Ayora, this research center of the Charles Darwin Foundation offers guided tours and the chance to see various Galapagos species up close.

Pacific Coast

3. Mindo cloudforest - located in a cloud forest, this quiet town offers excellent orchid, butterfly, and bird sightings in addition to various adventure sports and hiking trails. From Quito, take a bus with the Flor del Valle company from the Terminal Ofelia in the north of the city.
4. Canoa – a tranquil beach town offering long stretches of white sand and a relaxing atmosphere. From Quito, take a bus with the Reina del Camino company to San Vicente (7 to 8 hours). From Guayaquil, take any bus going to Bahía de Caraquez (5 or 6 hours), ferry across the bay to San Vicente then take another bus or taxi to Canoa.
5. Machalilla National Park – includes a stretch of beach as well as Isla de la Plata (which highlights species from the Galapagos) and Isla Salango. Activities include whale watching, horseback riding, kayaking, and more. To get to the park, take a bus along the coast either north from Puerto Lopez or south from Puerto Cayo.
6. Malecón 2000 and las Peñas – this recently renovated tourist area of Guayaquil includes a riverside boardwalk and renovated traditional neighborhood. Within Guayaquil, any taxi driver will know the way.

Andes Highlands

7. Artisan market at Otavalo – full of color and life, the market is a great place to interact with one of Ecuador’s indigenous groups and pick up souvenirs. The market is best on Saturday or Wednesday. From Quito, take any bus north towards Ibarra from the Carcelén Terminal or Taxi Lagos from Asunción 382 and Versalles.
8. Mitad del Mundo – this park offers shows and events on the weekends in addition to the monument marking the equator. From Quito, travel to the Ofelia bus station in the north of Quito and catch the bus heading to Mitad del Mundo or catch a bus on the Avenida Occidental (30 to 60 min.)
9. Quito’s Historic Town – offering a plethora of museums, churches, and plazas to explore, Quito’s historic town gives a sense of what life in Quito might have been like during the colonial period. From within Quito, take the Trole line to the Plaza Grande stop or ask any taxi driver to take you to the Plaza Grande.
10. Cotopaxi National Park – home of Ecuador’s highest volcano, the park offers mountain climbing, hiking, camping, and spectacular views. From Quito, you can take a train on Saturdays and Sundays from the Eloy Alfaro Station in the Center-South of the city or take a bus from the Quitumbe Terminal towards Latacunga and ask to be let off at the entrance to the park.
11. Quilotoa Loop – the Quilotoa Crater Lake is the highlight of this loop of breathtaking views and quiet farming villages of the Ecuadorian countryside. From Quito take a bus from the Quitumbe Terminal to Latacunga (1.5 hours) then take another bus to Chugchilán. Hire a truck from Chugchilán to the crater for $25.
12. Baños – this relaxed town offers hot springs in addition to various extreme sports, like whitewater rafting, rappelling, and bungee jumping. From Quito, take a bus from the Quitumbe terminal (4 hours).
13. Nariz del Diablo Train – goes from Riobamba to Alausí Wednesday, Friday and Sunday giving spectacular views and a hair-raising descent from which the ride gets its name. From Quito, take a bus from the Quitumbe terminal to Riobamba.
14. Ingapirca Ruins – the most important Incan ruins in Ecuador. Although not nearly as impressive as Machu Picchu, they still give an interesting insight into Incan rule in Ecuador. From Cuenca, buses leave from the terminal twice daily 9am and 1pm.
15. Cuenca – this city offers beautiful colonial churches as well as a wide array of cultural museums. From Quito, take a bus south from the Quitumbe Terminal (10 hours). From Guayaquil, take a bus from the terminal (4-5 hours) or fly from either Quito or Guayaquil (30 min).
16. Puyango Petrified Forest – although off the typical tourist path, this national park featuring 80 million year old stone logs is the largest field of petrified wood in the world. Fly to Loja then take a bus from the station (4 hours).
17. Vilcabamba – known as the “valley of eternal youth” due to its seemingly youthful elderly population, this tranquil town offers hiking, horseback riding, massages and relaxation. Fly to Loja then take a bus from the station (1 hour).

Amazon Rainforest

18. Cuyabeno Reserve – one of the world’s most biodiverse areas, this reserve offers exploration of the truly deep jungle and sightings of rare species. Book a tour with a lodge in order to visit the reserve. From Quito, fly (30 min) or take a bus (7 hours) to Lago Agrio then rely on transportation from your lodge.
19. Papallacta – by far Ecuador’s best hot springs, this town offers a resort/spa and water park open to the public in order to enjoy the naturally heated water. From Quito, take a bus from the Quitumbe Terminal towards Tena/Baeza or catch a bus from Cumbayá.
20. Puyo – a small town on the edge of the jungle perfect for those who can’t or don’t want to venture further in. The town offers an orchid botanical reserve as well as rivers to swim in. Buses leave from Quito (5 hours) and Baños (1 hour) heading towards Tena.